The Polish Language: A Cheatsheet for Beginners
Learn Polish with Culture.pl! Below you’ll find (almost) all our best content about the Polish language in one handy place. It’s the perfect entry point to your new love affair with Poland’s fair tongue.
Tytuł (nagłówek do zdjęcia)
First things first – which in this case means the alphabet. Among the magnificent 32, prepare for 9 unique letters and 17 need-to-know letter combinations. But don’t worry! Our listen-along Multimedia Guide to the Polish Alphabet will take you through it painlessly – and with animations.
Let’s say you already know a bit about the Polish alphabet… But perhaps you need some motivation to get started, especially an explanation of precisely why you should learn this intriguing language and not some other one. In this article we’re telling you why – and the reasons are pretty compelling. Plus, you get Polish in a nutshell.
But before you start getting cocky, we suggest you practice your skills and try pronouncing some words which give even Poles a headache!
4. Indo-European: A beginner’s course
Before we really get started, it might just be that you know quite a lot of Polish already...
Since practice makes perfect, check out this guide that shows you how the names of famous Poles (you might know them already, but you probably don’t know that you’ve been pronouncing them incorrectly) can teach you proper Polish pronunciation!
What better way to practice your pronunciation than by uttering the venerable name of the ultimate Polish hero? Can you pronounce it correctly? But wait, is there a correct pronunciation after all? Find out how the name is pronounced around the world.
6. Polish words in English?
If you made it all the way here, you’re ready to find out which Polish words have spread their wings and made it into the world lexicon. You’ll be surprised...
And if you're looking for a more in-depth take on how the Polish language has grown, expanded and enriched other tongues, you should definitely try to learn when Polish was king...
It might be time to start flexing your tongue once again – Polish style. Here’s a selection of the most torturous, mind-boggling and fiendish Polish tongue twisters out there – just don’t break your tongue!
8. Inspired by those who also spoke & wrote in Polish...
Should we remind you of why you should learn Polish? Here’s a list of some writers who spoke or learned Polish – you will be surprised.. Rest assured, you’re in good company.
Perhaps you tried learning Polish but it doesn’t work for you? Well, have you tried just noises? Check out our tips to speaking Polish like a Pole without knowing the language at all. Yes, you can outsmart everyone with these tips on grunting and wailing – seriously!
Yes, let’s get even more emboldened. Here’s a guide to Polish onomatopoeia – start sounding like a Polish dog, cow, or raindrops on the roof!
11. Secrets of speaking Polish like a Pole
If you made it all the way here, you’re probably looking for ways to polish your Polish. Here are some tips from other language learners.
12. Polish proverbial wisdom
Boost your language skills with some classic sentences, and season your Polish with a tinge of the typical Polish wisdom that comes only with Polish proverbs.
13. Sayings only Poles use
A couple of sayings will help too… Are these the sayings only Poles use?
14. All this effort for…
If you have mastered all the above, perhaps you can now read Polish literature in Polish itself. Here’s a guide that will help you to pick your favourite Polish writer:
Or just pick one of the books from this list! Are these the best Polish books ever?
Or you can just fake it till you make it! Powodzenia!
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